After a run to the NBA Finals this summer, the Dallas Mavericks are determined to return next season to finish the job and go home as champions. In a chat on the “Roommates Show,” minority team owner Mark Cuban spoke on the team’s latest addition, Klay Thompson, and what he brings to the table for the defending Western Conference champs.
“If you look back at the Finals there were times we couldn’t score and it was more of hitting open threes than anything else. Obviously, the big addition was Klay. He’s somebody you have to face guard who’s going to make 40%. In Golden State, he always had to be on the move and they had that motion offense where he was always coming off screens and running. We don’t do that nearly as much. Standing in the corner, standing on the wing, and just catch and shoot from Luka [Doncic] and [Kyrie Irving]. Hopefully, his life is gonna be a lot easier, so we’ll be able to defend, make shots, and have a lot of depth.”
Mavericks minority governor Mark Cuban on Klay Thompson’s addition to the team says he hopes Thompson’s life is a lot easier with catch and shoot 3’s from the wings & corners without having to do a lot of motion like he did with the Warriors #MFFL
(🎥: @Roommates__Show) pic.twitter.com/gOunr1UfTU
— Kevin Gray Jr. (@KevinGraySports) August 29, 2024
Cuban sat courtside when the Mavericks won their first championship in 2011 and he was in full support when they faced off against the Celtics in June. While he is no longer the majority owner of the club, he still has control over basketball operations and it was he, and star point guard Kyrie Irving, who led the charge to add Klay Thompson via a sign-and-trade deal in free agency.
After 11 years with the Golden State Warriors, the 4x champion grew immensely unhappy with his situation. As Klay struggled on the court, and his role saw a dramatic decline, he failed to negotiate a new extension with the Warriors before becoming a free agent this past summer. Wanting a fresh start and a clean slate, Klay elected to leave his old team behind in favor of a new experience with the Mavericks.
It remains to be seen how Thompson will perform in his 12th NBA season but even after two major injuries, he can still be effective on the court. In 77 games last campaign, he averaged 17.9 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 43.2% shooting. Alongside Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, however, Klay should get more open looks and he won’t have nearly as much pressure to perform.
After signing a 3-year, $50 million deal, the 4x champion will be a core member of the Mavericks and fans are eager to see how he’ll fit as a floor spacer next to Luka Doncic, Kyrie Irving, and young big man Dereck Lively II.
Teams like the Timberwolves, Nuggets, Thunder, and Suns will make things highly competitive in the West and the margin for error has never been so slim. But with a FInals appearance under their belt, the Mavericks feel that they have an opportunity to go on a major run.
Klay Thompson may not be what he used to be, but his experience, skills, and work ethic should make him a fine addition to the roster and if he can stay healthy, it might be all the Mavericks need to win another championship.
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